Lions legend Jason Robinson has tipped Leigh Halfpenny to make a huge impact on the summer tour

WARREN GATLAND has been told to make Leigh Halfpenny the first name on his Lions team-sheet Down Under this summer.

Halfpenny plays for the Blues for the first time today since helping to inspire Wales to their momentous 30-3 triumph over England to clinch the Six Nations title.

He will be looking to shine once more at the Millennium Stadium as the Blues tangle with the Ospreys in the second instalment of today’s Judgement Day spectacular.

But, according to World Cup winner Jason Robinson, Halfpenny has already done enough to cement his place as first-choice full-back for the Lions against the Wallabies.

Halfpenny played every game for Wales and contributed 74 points during the title triumph, gaining 40 per cent of the public vote in being named player of the championship.

Heading into the tournament everyone knew about the 24-year-old’s thunderous boot being the scourge of many rivals for country and his region, the Blues.

But for Robinson, himself a former Lion, it was Halfpenny’s other talents that caught the eye.

“There is no doubt in my mind that after the result in Cardiff, Warren Gatland will make the majority of his squad up of Welshman – how can he not?” said Robinson.

“And the best of the lot was unquestionably Halfpenny – he was outstanding and demonstrated that he is as good as any full-back in world rugby.

“Despite the strength of the Wales squad there is one guy that stood out for me in every game and that was Halfpenny – he was tremendous.

“I think Halfpenny has really made that Lions number 15 shirt his own.

“Yes Stuart Hogg of Scotland had moments, as did Alex Goode for England, but, while these were fleeting, Halfpenny produced in every single game.

“A lot of people focus on his kicking, and his kicking is exceptional there is no doubt about that. He has one heck of a boot on him.

“But Leigh is so much more than just good at kicking – so much more.

“What I saw in the Six Nations was his commitment, boldness in the air, offensive threat, the whole package really .... exactly what you want from your full-back.”

With England opening up their campaign with a four-try demolition of Scotland, many were licking their lips ahead of what looked like being a straight shoot-out between Goode and Halfpenny for the Lions No.15 jersey.

But Robinson admits that there was only one clear winner.

“Don’t get me wrong, Goode is a good player in his own right but he plays the game a different way to Leigh Halfpenny,” stated the 2003 World Cup winner with England..

“Goode is almost playing that role like a converted fly-half and with that brings its own positives and negatives.

“But with Leigh I think it is only positive and, while people respect Goode, I think they fear Leigh because he has got so much to his game.

“He has been one of the standouts so you wouldn’t look elsewhere.”

The Blues go into today’s double-header with coach Phil Davies knowing the blueprint is there for everyone to see in England.

Since 2004, the start of the new English Premiership season has been marked by back-to-back games being staged at Twickenham in early September.

Attendances have grown steadily over the years as the occasion has become firmly established, with crowds peaking in excess of 75,000.

It usually involves the big four London based-teams of Harlequins, London Irish, Wasps and Saracens, which was the case again this season.

But, back in the early days of 2005, Harlequins had been relegated from the Premiership, so Leeds were included instead.

Their coach at the time was Davies, who steps down memory lane as he finds himself involved at the start of Wales’ own double-header.

“I think it’s a great idea,” he said. “It's a fantastic day of rugby to showcase the best of Welsh regional talent.

“Just look at the top players that are going to be on show, players who have just helped Wales retain the Six Nations title.

“It’s a fantastic initiative. We've seen how successful the concept has proved in England.

“I was involved early on when I was with Leeds. We were up against London Irish, while Wasps were playing Saracens.

“It was a decent crowd, about 35,000 if memory serves me right.

“But the point is everything has got to start somewhere and now they are attracting crowds of 75,000.

“They are great occasions and ones the players and the public really look forward to.

“It's going to be great for some of the younger regional players to run out at the national stadium for the first time.

“Some players don’t get a regular opportunity to play at the stadium and it will be a big deal for them.

“I remember going to Twickenham with Leeds. A lot of our players who otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance were delighted to got the opportunity to play there.

“That was great. Here it’s a similar thing. It’s a big opportunity for everybody to be playing at such an iconic venue, not just in Wales but world rugby. I think it’s going to a great occasion, with a real carnival atmosphere.

“It will be good for the Blues and Ospreys fans to come and watch the Scarlets and the Dragons and vice versa.

“There is definitely an appetite for these Welsh derbies. You see that with the attendances for them over the Christmas period.

"To have all four regions playing at the same ground on the same day is great.”

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